Why Vibe Coding Can Hold You Back

Why Vibe Coding Can Hold You Back

A False Sense of Confidence

From my perspective, one of the biggest dangers of vibe coding is that it gives beginners a false sense of confidence. I’ve seen new coders who’ve just touched the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skip right past fundamentals.

When asked to build something simple like a to-do list, they think, “No worries, AI will do it for me.” But by skipping the exercise, they miss learning about events, state, and data flow—concepts that are the backbone of real development.

My Advice: Let AI help you, but don’t let it rob you of learning experiences. The struggle is what makes you stronger as a coder.


Code That’s Hard to Maintain

Code That’s Hard to Maintain
Code That’s Hard to Maintain

I’ve also seen vibe coding produce bloated, unmanageable code. A friend of mine once tried building an app with authentication, billing, and other features entirely through AI prompts. The outcome? Lines upon lines of messy code, stuffed with unnecessary logic that was tough to debug.

Get the latest breakthroughs, tools, and tutorials—delivered straight to your inbox.

This isn’t just frustrating—it’s a serious blocker for scaling apps. Instead of chasing AI for everything, it’s often smarter to adopt well-structured solutions.


The Database Disaster Risk

The Database Disaster Risk
The Database Disaster Risk

Here’s another nightmare I’ve seen happen: AI-generated code wiping out a production database. Yes, it really happened to a company that trusted AI far too much.

The AI wasn’t malicious—it was just following instructions blindly. The real issue? The founder handed over critical control to AI without proper checks.

Lesson Learned: Never run AI code on production without reviewing it thoroughly. Safeguards are your responsibility, not the AI’s.


Hidden Security Flaws

One of the scariest things about vibe coding is the silent threats buried in the code. AI might generate something that:

  • Leaves your data exposed.
  • Creates hidden performance bottlenecks.
  • Adds vulnerabilities you won’t notice until it’s too late.

These dangers often slip by unnoticed until your app slows down or, worse, gets compromised.


Forgetting the Value of Coding Skills

Another trap I see is developers beginning to feel like coding knowledge isn’t necessary anymore. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

The more you code, the faster your knowledge grows. Over time, you’ll reach a point where your skills outperform AI—but only if you keep practicing. If you rely only on vibe coding, you’ll never get there.

My Advice: Treat AI as a tutor, not as your main developer.


How to Use AI Without Falling Into Traps

Here’s how I suggest approaching vibe coding:

  1. Limit dependence—don’t let AI write everything.
  2. Understand your code—never run what you don’t understand.
  3. Ask AI questions, but build the logic yourself.
  4. Keep control—your app should be built on your knowledge, not just prompts.

Wrapping It Up

Vibe coding may look like a shortcut, but it’s filled with pitfalls: false confidence, messy code, broken databases, and hidden security risks. If you’re a beginner, don’t let AI stunt your growth.

Use AI to learn smarter, not to skip the hard (but rewarding) parts of coding. The effort you put in today will shape you into a stronger, more confident developer tomorrow.

Get the latest breakthroughs, tools, and tutorials—delivered straight to your inbox.

Why Vibe Coding Can Hold You Back
Why Vibe Coding Can Hold You Back